I’m broke, what can take the place of Botox?

[FloodlightsOnTheSquare]

I’ve been getting my 11s, forehead, and crows feet done for about 3/4 years, usually every 7-8 months.

But now I’m broke, and my crows feet in particular are beginning to bother me, and my left eyelid feels a bit droopy and uncomfortable.

Is there anything that remotely compares? I can’t use tret, i have eczema and my skin can’t take it.

Does anyone have any ideas? Please?

Problem is, I’m really really happy so the smile lines are wildly untamed 😁

I have found Botox to be no more expensive than the fancy face products and supplements. I was spending a fortune on collagen sachets and they did really help, but not like Botox. Overall I don’t think there was much difference cost wise. £300 for 6 months Botox vs £50 a month in supplements and face cream, possibly more.

Sold as much as I could when I had to buy a new place, so that’s tapped out.

Oh, what do you do?

I really don’t remember, it would have been the mildest one. I am very prone to terrible allergic reactions around my eyes and it’s set that off, which then set my eczema off around my body, I don’t think I’d try it again

I’ve ordered the stuff from The Ordinary mention up thread, it was only £20 for the two items.

Excellent idea, will look into how I can procure vast amounts of human shit. Bit tricky now the kids are no longer babies, I don’t have much of it to hand these days.

It’s definitely more than my Aldi face cream!

Yeah, you have to be very careful using it near your eyes as the skin there is thinner and more sensitive. Totally understandable why you’d avoid it if triggered your eczema.

There are some good, more gentle retinoids out there, targeted for those with sensitive skin, that may be worth looking at instead, e.g. https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/starter-retinol-serum-MUK200060243.html

I'm curious as to how old you are! Honestly, the best thing you can do for your skin is drink loads of water – 3L a day – wear Factor 50 and limit alcohol.

I’m 46 ☺️

Hycosine night. Get it from Boots/ Specsavers. It includes retinol but also petroleum jelly and other stuff to soothe eyes at night. I have used it for eczema on my eyelid and it helps with the crows feet. Marine collagen helps skin look brighter too.

Reedle shot (can buy from Boots) - I've never had Botox and get asked if I have

Reedle? I will google! Thanks

Even this ostrich is trying to hide its wrinkles 😂😂

I follow this woman on insta who posts a lot of good skincare stuff and budget alternatives. I was using tret already but I’ve massively upped my hydrating products and noticed a difference
had Botox about a decade ago but none for 8 years and I’m quite happy with my skin

In all honesty, nothing can replace Botox. It’s mint.

Your left eyelid is droopy -is it impacting your vision? My father had a droopy eyelid and the ophthalmologist recommended surgery because it was impacting his vision. He had this surgery and did not have to pay.

Failing that, Botox will definitely help open up your eyes. Would a doctor feel it is medically necessary for you to have Botox (people get Botox for migraines and for tremors)?

You could try this;
I read that Barbara Cartland used to use sticking plaster to 'hoist up' aging skin, and I think one can see how well it works from the attached photo.

Honestly, nothing will come even close to what Botox can do. Spending £30 on some cream is a waste of money…nothing will get rid of lines,

instead of spending £££s over the course of the year on creams that don’t do anything - reduce your Botox to once a year, to one area (crows feet). Choose a time you feel you would get the most out of it, eg summer months.

Also consider a French style fringe. It’s in fashion and a much softer style. Anyone can wear it.

Nothing much really to suggest

1. I know you say you don't suit a fringe but maybe a radical hair restyle. I did this recently and whilst I can't claim I looked any younger, comments were that I looked 'fresher'

2. Laser treatment - lasts longer but way more expensive than botox

3. Does you Botox clinic have any schemes were you can spread out the cost by direct debit on an ongoing basis?

Whilst I am a cackling at Barbara Cartland’s sticking plaster (thanks @TwoLeftSocksWithHoles) you can actually get wrinkle patches including forehead ones:

https://wrinklesschminkles.co.uk/collections/silicone-patches-for-wrinkles/products/forehead-wrinkle-patch-1-patch

I’ve not tried them because I have a fringe and it’s much cheaper but may be worth a go @FloodlightsOnTheSquare?

I have a Claudia fringe which helps.

Very well said! 👏

@FloodlightsOnTheSquare thank you for posting - its’s been really useful to me. You probably won’t be taking several flights a year either so a little ‘pick me up’ will do you good after going through a tough time 😊

Literally nothing will compare, every time you consider spending £20 on a cream in the hope of it working just stick it in a savings pot instead and soon enough you will have most of the Botox cost!